The Lost Brothers appeared on The Imelda May Show on RTE TV in Ireland last week. Sadly, the main performance & interview is not available outside Ireland but an “extra” of the duo performing Gold and Silver, from their new album New Songs of Dawn and Dust, is viewable on the RTE player here.

Featured in The Guardian, Clash Magazine and more, Fred Abbott’s solo career is off to a great start! A supremely talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Fred Abbott joined Noah And The Whale in 2009 and went on to huge success with that group, especially notable being his contribution to 2011‘s Platinum-selling and highly acclaimed Last Night On Earth. Abbott enlisted the help of his Noah And The Whale compadres and other friends for the recording of Serious Poke, with sessions taking place at West London’s British Grove Studios over the past year. The album was co-produced by Fred with Martin Hollis, whose diverse credits include Grinderman, The Rolling Stones and Take That.

The new LP from Oisin Leech and Mark Mccausland, aka Irish pair The Lost Brothers, is a warm, wise charmer of a folk record. Here’s their behind-the-scenes guide to its making, featuring cameos from members of Babyshambles and the Coral.

Acclaimed Portland, Oregon rock quintet Blitzen Trapper is set to release All Across This Land on October 2 via Lojinx in Europe (on Vagrant in the US). Blitzen Trapper has built a solid reputation as a band unafraid to take chances. By incorporating a vast array of influences, they have released albums that touch on indie folk/rock, roots, art rock, alt country, psychedelia and pop, while maintaining a sound that is distinctly Blitzen Trapper. On their new studio effort, the group’s years of experimentation and experience have come full circle, culminating in their strongest, most cohesive work to date with the career milestone, All Across This Land. View new the ALBUM TRAILER:

Blitzen Trapper may have experimented successfully with a multitude of styles; however, the band has been built on a strong foundation as, above all else, a ROCK band. Their live shows consistently reinforce that fact, and those who have experienced their performance would agree.

All Across This Land once again confirms that Blitzen Trapper possess the unique ability to create thoughtful, melodic, finely crafted songs on one hand, and deliver full throttle, infectious rock on the other. From the opening riff of the title track and first single, this is quite evident as it unfolds into a flurry of guitars, bass and drums. The band eases back as well by featuring some of lead singer and songwriter Eric Earley’s strongest writing yet, particularly on the semi-autobiographical “Mystery and Wonder”. The track’s reflective and nostalgic tone was inspired by the band’s beginnings, the chemistry that develops over time and the music they have created though the years. Another album highlight is “Lonesome Angel” with its easy ‘70’s AM radio feel.

While All Across This Land features some of Earley’s finest songs to date, the rest of his bandmate’s performances – Erik Menteer (guitar), Michael Van Pelt (bass), Marty Marquis (guitar/keys), Brian Adrian Koch (drums) – elevate each track thus taking Blitzen Trapper to their highest artistic peak yet.

we love all the people
and we love to rock the house
no one knows we’re coming
so no one’s coming out
to this particular rock club
have we played this club before?
you see, I can’t remember
if we’ve played this club before

1 2 check 1 2
1 2 check 1 2
1 2 check 1 2
check

put your hands together
get on your knees and pray
next time we come around here
we won’t be comin’ back this way
or to this particular rock club
is that really the P.A.
or just somebody’s radio
left in the corner of the room?